Why don't the players ever learn that you don't vote off people perceived as threats before the merge? You keep as strong a tribe as possible until then. One of Phillip's arguments against Francesca was that she was a threat. How could anybody know that? She was never around long enough to prove herself one way or the other. But those dumbbunnies listened to him, and she was gone...and these are the experienced players. Phillip simply didn't like Francesca and put the satisfying of his gigantic ego before the best interests of the tribe. Frankly, I hope the fans pulverize the favorites.

Two new cop shows I thought looked pretty good at first are turning out to be less than enthralling. Red Widow has the same basic premise as Mafia Doctor, an innocent forced to work with criminals. But after a promising pilot, Red Widow is already starting to look routine. Golden Boy has a new angle, the rise of a detective to Police Commissioner in only 7 years, the youngest Commissioner ever in New York City. It's not very compelling, though, and it should be. Maybe it's me...I just can't get into it.

Odd coincidence, Mike -- I was about to mention Southland. I've seen only 4 or 5 episodes, late-night reruns on TNT. (Tonight's new episode hasn't started yet here.) But it's quite different from other cop series; the others show a team of detectives investigating one case for the full length of the episode, but Southland shows a number of different incidents each episode involving a number of police. There are two detectives, but most of the incidents involve patrol cops. It's a true ensemble show, and I'm glad to hear from Mike that it's accurate in its picture of police work.

Wow! I didn't log in here last night so I missed Southland, but you can bet I'll watch next week.

And Wow! again. I've never seen anyone go insane on Survivor before. But then, what can you expect of someone named Hantz? His entire tribe thought he was so unstable that they forfeited immunity just to vote him out...incredible.

The weird part is that all those things he said to Phillip are absolutely 100% true! I'm glad he called Phillip out on that juvenile business of giving everyone code names. It was one hell of a meltdown. I've never seen anyone self-destruct like that.

He went out the same way he came in, arrogant and shallow: "I am the author of my elimination!" Well, yes, but why brag about shooting yourself in the foot? Of course, he was trying to make it seem that it was his choice to leave, not Phillip's maneuvering that ousted him. But Jeff's holding Instant Tribal at the challenge site pretty much scotched that. Nevertheless, I'm pleased Brandon told Phillip off before making his exit.